AMANDA MCCLEAN FROM COUNTY ARMAGH EXPOSED AS PAEDOPHILE IN SHOCKING SEXTING CASE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of County Armagh, Amanda McClean, a woman from Sleepy Valley in Richhill, has been found guilty of serious sexual offences involving a schoolgirl. The conviction follows a detailed trial at the Newry Crown Court, where the jury deliberated for just 40 minutes before reaching a unanimous verdict.

McClean, aged 50, was convicted on six counts related to her inappropriate communications with a 14-year-old girl. These offences took place over a period from October 3 to October 11, 2018. The charges included four counts of sexual communication with a minor, one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and a charge of meeting a child following sexual grooming. Throughout the trial, the court heard how McClean used a burner phone to send explicit messages to the teenager, which included expressions of sexual desire and references to sexual acts.

During the proceedings, the jury was presented with evidence that the messages exchanged between McClean and the girl contained graphic language, including references to kissing, licking, orgasms, and other sexual acts. Prosecutor Geraldine McCullough highlighted that the messages indicated an understanding between the two that they were engaging in sexual activity while texting. She pointed out that the messages were indicative of grooming behavior, with one message explicitly stating, “I can’t wait to get at you properly. It’s going to be mind-blowing. I’m horny as f***.”

Teachers at the girl’s school discovered the messages after seizing her mobile phone. When her mother reviewed the device, she found numerous sexualized conversations, despite the sender’s apparent attempt to deny involvement. The phone number used to send these messages was registered to the defendant’s address, and the SIM card was ordered online using her internet provider’s details. Despite this evidence, McClean initially denied that she was responsible for the messages during police interviews.

McClean’s defense team argued that there was no direct evidence linking her to the messages and suggested that police investigations had failed to consider the possibility that someone else could have sent them. Her lawyer, Seamus Lannon, emphasized that there was reasonable doubt and that McClean had taken instructions to remain silent during her trial. However, the prosecution maintained that the evidence was overwhelming and clearly pointed to her guilt.

In her closing statement, prosecutor McCullough urged the jury to consider the “overwhelming” evidence of sexualized communication and grooming. She argued that McClean’s silence was telling and that her defense’s claim of being set up was unsupported by any concrete evidence. The jury, after careful consideration, found her guilty on all counts.

Following the verdict, Judge Gordon Kerr QC ordered McClean to sign the sex offenders register. He also granted her bail with strict conditions, including a prohibition on contact with any children except for the one she currently cares for. The judge adjourned sentencing until April 29, pending a pre-sentence report. He warned McClean that her release did not imply the final sentence would be lenient and strongly advised her to make alternative arrangements for the care of the disabled child she was responsible for. The judge also cautioned that the likely outcome of her case could be an immediate custodial sentence, reflecting the gravity of her offences.